Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire
Background/Objectives: Rotavirus (RV) is the primary cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five years of age. The introduction of Rotavirus vaccines (RVV) has markedly reduced RV-related childhood deat...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/1/63 |
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| author | Davide Anzà Massimiliano Esposito Giorgio Bertolazzi Alessandra Fallucca Carlo Genovese Gabriele Maniscalco Andrea D. Praticò Tiziana Scarpaci Ermanno Vitale Vincenzo Restivo |
| author_facet | Davide Anzà Massimiliano Esposito Giorgio Bertolazzi Alessandra Fallucca Carlo Genovese Gabriele Maniscalco Andrea D. Praticò Tiziana Scarpaci Ermanno Vitale Vincenzo Restivo |
| author_sort | Davide Anzà |
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| description | Background/Objectives: Rotavirus (RV) is the primary cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five years of age. The introduction of Rotavirus vaccines (RVV) has markedly reduced RV-related childhood deaths, especially in Europe, where substantial reductions in hospitalizations and disease prevalence have been observed. Despite these advances, RVV uptake in Italy remains below the desired targets, with notable regional disparities. In Sicily, vaccination rates have fluctuated, with current coverage failing to meet national goals. Safety concerns and insufficient parental awareness are major barriers to RVV acceptance. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Southern Italy to identify factors influencing parental acceptance of RVV. Data were collected from parents using a structured questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic factors, vaccine knowledge, and attitudes based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Results: Overall, 226 parents were enrolled. Higher perceived benefit of RVV was significantly associated with increased vaccine adherence (Odds Ratio = 13.65; 95% Confidence Interval = 6.88–27.09; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusions: These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve vaccine coverage and address regional and socio-economic barriers to RVV acceptance. Furthermore, tailored educational campaigns and univocal information from healthcare providers could play pivotal roles in achieving higher vaccine uptake. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-027dd768b5834b61ab92fcfe4f2ddd85 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj-art-027dd768b5834b61ab92fcfe4f2ddd852025-01-24T13:51:49ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-01-011316310.3390/vaccines13010063Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model QuestionnaireDavide Anzà0Massimiliano Esposito1Giorgio Bertolazzi2Alessandra Fallucca3Carlo Genovese4Gabriele Maniscalco5Andrea D. Praticò6Tiziana Scarpaci7Ermanno Vitale8Vincenzo Restivo9Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna Kore, 94100 Enna, ItalyBackground/Objectives: Rotavirus (RV) is the primary cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five years of age. The introduction of Rotavirus vaccines (RVV) has markedly reduced RV-related childhood deaths, especially in Europe, where substantial reductions in hospitalizations and disease prevalence have been observed. Despite these advances, RVV uptake in Italy remains below the desired targets, with notable regional disparities. In Sicily, vaccination rates have fluctuated, with current coverage failing to meet national goals. Safety concerns and insufficient parental awareness are major barriers to RVV acceptance. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Southern Italy to identify factors influencing parental acceptance of RVV. Data were collected from parents using a structured questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic factors, vaccine knowledge, and attitudes based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Results: Overall, 226 parents were enrolled. Higher perceived benefit of RVV was significantly associated with increased vaccine adherence (Odds Ratio = 13.65; 95% Confidence Interval = 6.88–27.09; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusions: These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve vaccine coverage and address regional and socio-economic barriers to RVV acceptance. Furthermore, tailored educational campaigns and univocal information from healthcare providers could play pivotal roles in achieving higher vaccine uptake.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/1/63rotavirusvaccination coveragehealth belief modelacute gastroenteritishospital admissionparents acceptance |
| spellingShingle | Davide Anzà Massimiliano Esposito Giorgio Bertolazzi Alessandra Fallucca Carlo Genovese Gabriele Maniscalco Andrea D. Praticò Tiziana Scarpaci Ermanno Vitale Vincenzo Restivo Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire Vaccines rotavirus vaccination coverage health belief model acute gastroenteritis hospital admission parents acceptance |
| title | Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire |
| title_full | Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire |
| title_fullStr | Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire |
| title_short | Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Acceptance in an Area of Southern Italy with Low Vaccination Coverage: A Case-Control Study by the Health Belief Model Questionnaire |
| title_sort | determinants of rotavirus vaccine acceptance in an area of southern italy with low vaccination coverage a case control study by the health belief model questionnaire |
| topic | rotavirus vaccination coverage health belief model acute gastroenteritis hospital admission parents acceptance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/1/63 |
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